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WATCH REVIEW Perrelet Turbine

Editor's opinion
57 / 100
Review of a watch-making “phenomenon”: the Perrelet Turbine. A watch with an original design and which double rotor will impress more than one. Visual and sound effects guaranteed !
Straight to the Point

Perrelet Turbine

Ref.: A 5006 / 2
$3,600.00 US retail price July 18th, 2010
Pros
  • originality
  • comfort
  • visual effect
Cons
  • the turbine is “noisy”: do not keep it while sleeping, in order to avoid divorce!
  • the visual effect would though be extraordinary in the darkness if the dial were luminous
  • the price, a bit high
Technical specifications
Brand Perrelet
Model name
Turbine
Reference
A 5006 / 2
Case material
Titanium
Case diameter (without crown)
44 mm
Case diameter (crown included)
44 mm
Movement type
Automatic
Caliber
P 181 Double rotor
Base Caliber
ETA + module Dubois Depraz
Functions
Hour
Minute
Second
Crystal
Dual-face crystal with anti-reflective coating
Power reserve
40h
Transparent back
Yes
Lug width
18 mm
Length from lug to lug
55 mm
Case thickness
18 mm
Clasp type
Deployment clasp
Clasp material
Titanium
Total weight
109 grammes
Retail price USA at July 18th, 2010
3,600.00 $
Editor's opinion 57/100
Comfort (/15) 13
Movement (/20) 7
Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) 3
Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) 4
Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) 0
Power reserve (/2) 0
Complications (/5) 0
Finishing (/20) 14.5
Dial finishing (/6) 4
Case finishing (/6) 4
Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) 1.5
Crystal quality (/4) 3
Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) 2
Functionality (/20) 9.5
Diurnal legibility (/5) 4
Night legibility (/4) 0
Water resistance (/3) 0.5
Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) 2
Clasp : quality and safety (/4) 3
Additional items (/10) 3
Limited edition (/3) 0
Watch delivered with several straps (/2) 0
Quality of the watch box (/1) 1
Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) 1
Goodies included (/1) 0
Understandability of the brochure (/1) 1
Value for money (/15) 10
  • When to wear it ?
  • On the macadam of every single airport !
  • A watch that is highly original

    When the automatic rotor of a watch splits itself in two parts, like the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, and takes its flight by becoming a turbine laid on the dial, and freeing itself by the way from its role of assembling the movement, the amateur remains astonished!

    First of all, astonished by the roaring of the engine, which by starting at every movement of the wrist, reminds through its sound the flight of a bee swarm.

    Astonished then by the optical effect that provides the movement of the twelve titanium blades (of which 6 are ballasted with tungsten marbles), contrasting with the back’s index of the dial.

    But what do we have to deal with? A one-armed bandit launched amidst action? The sectors of a radar screen that have driven crazy?

    The press release informs us: no, it is merely the latest discovery that results from the Perrelet’s incursion in the aeronautical sector, “pioneer in matter of the development of the perpetual movement since 1777”. And hence “pays attention to any invention that can generate its own energy”.

    In this case, it is the gas turbine engine that inspires the design of this amazing watch.

    Visual and sounds effects guaranteed !

    Let’s come down to earth for some moments.

    So, what is this astounding discovery? What does it bring new?

    Up to now, the Perrelet’s double rotor is known as the one that ensures the winding of the mechanism (one on the dial side and the other one on the back side).

    Here, the second rotor – withdrew from the movement and thus from the frictions and inherent slow down of the humble function of winding – goes literally freewheel for the pleasure of the eyes.

    Let’s reassure the populations: turbine for sure, but no greenhouse gases within this watch!

    The module remains mechanical, but generates a renewed visual and sound effect.

    It is a regret that the colored zones of the dial are not made of bright material to “launch” the turbine at night.

    The amateur has to face the facts: this development is then totally useless from a purely technical point of view.

    But when with a neglected arm’s movement, in order to put his glass, he launches what one of his mischievous friend has qualified of “gas plant”, the conversation stops around the table full of cocktails and every eyes stare his wrist: the effect is guaranteed!

     

    A comfortable watch

    Although the 44 mm diameter is quite generous, the casing’s curve designed in the shape of a reactor, the integration of the comfortable rubber strap in the lugs and the lightness of the titanium give a comfort to the wrist to the point to almost forget it – if the turbine does not opportunely reminds its presence.

    The almost invisible crown that is manipulated with a kind of lever contributes to the lightness of the whole.

     

    What to remember

    This Perrelet Turbine is definitely to indulge oneself – which problem is that it is practically impossible to depict it since how unique it is…

    Thus, I strongly advise you to look the 13 pictures of the slide show and to watch the video on the Perrelet’s website: it’s worth the trip!

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